If you’ve been reading my posts (I hope so!) for the past few days, or following my tweets, you may have noticed that three “little” words have been showing up sporadically. little.big.planet. Now for those of you who aren’t a true gamer like me, I’ll fill you in on the deets.

This is a sackboy.

Isn’t he cute? Well, each player gets one. As you complete challenges and collect stickers and other fun items, you can customize your character and update his (or her!) look. For the record, my sackboygirl is made of hot pink fabric and wears a black and white polka dot dress, fairy wings, hot pink sunglasses, and purple pigtails. She also sports a zebra tail (and occasionally bunny ears — if she’s feeling frisky).

So what exactly is Little Big Planet? Well, with the help of SONY’s web site, I’ll tell you:

I haven’t yet shared this with you, because I’m still getting over the aggravation and even thinking about it makes me FUME. Seriously, my blood is boiling as I type this…But, it’s Thankful Thursday and thus I’m focusing my energy on other matters.

My surgery has been indefinitely postponed.

I guess my surgeon hurt his back pretty badly and is actually going to be in the hospital until SEPTEMBER (at least!). When another surgeon was offered up to me, I took the chance, but he doesn’t have an opening until SEPTEMBER 4. At that point, I’d rather just wait a few more weeks for my surgeon who performed my first surgery and knows my history. (What would you of done?)

Anyway, after a few moments of utter frustration and fist banging (I think my colleagues now officially think I’ve lost it!), I’m able to let it go.

Every cloud has a silver lining, right?

Well, my silver lining is that I now get to enjoy the rest of summer without a limp!

This week I’m thankful it’s still summer. Mainly because I still haven’t done half the things I was so excited to do! So I thought today would be a good opportunity for all of us to take stock in our summer thus far. Have you done everything you wanted to? Have you played outside and gotten to the beach? Have you run through a sprinkler or stopped at a lemonade stand? Have you watched the stars or gone on a picnic with your friends or loved one? I’ve done some of those things, but not as many as I would like.

In an effort to refocus my energy (and subtly let the Mister know what’s in store for him), I decided to make a list of what I’d still like to do this summer…

• Go to the zoo
• Pack a picnic lunch and  go somewhere adventurous
• Go camping (preferably in a TENT!)
• Go canoeing
• Take a blanket and snacks to the park and watch the stars
• Go to a drive in movie
• Go fishing
• Fly a kite

I hope you are ready, Mister!

The beach awaits!

What’s on your list?

Remember to submit all Fashion Friday contest entries by midnight tonight!

Courtesy of Wikipedia:

“These generally follow the rivers that flow through the region to Lake Erie. Referred to affectionately as the “Emerald Necklace” the network of 16 reservations across 22,000 acres (89 km²) includes hundreds of miles of walking, bicycle, and horse trails, parks, picnic areas, five nature education centers, six golf courses, and abundant fishing holes. In addition, the park district manages the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo in Cleveland. Several of the parks are adjacent to the Cuyahoga Valley National Park.”

As part of our ADVENTUROUS weekend, the Mister and I spent an entire day at the North Chagrin Reservation. We hiked through the park for more than 3 1/2 hours and we didn’t even see it all (Note: there are 16 reservations total, we explored ONE).

While we were hiking we talked quite a bit about the Metroparks and how lucky we are to have such a great park system. We realized that we don’t utilize it enough and are planning on exploring one area of the Metropark reservations every weekend for the rest of the summer. I’m THRILLED with this new plan! Not only do I love the outdoors, but hiking is a great way to get in our exercise, without having to go to the gym and feel like a lil hamster on a wheel.

See, believe it or not, I’ve never been quite good at sports. Sure, I danced competitively for several years, and I think know it’s a real sport, but you know what I mean… tennis….soccer…softball…basketball…the list goes on. See, for a klutzy girl who doesn’t know her left from right (SERIOUSLY, I still have to do the little “L” thing with my hand — I wish I was kidding), sports and I didn’t really get along. I think this plays a bit into why I like hiking so much! While so many sports require special equipment or training, hiking isn’t as complicated. Anyone can put on a pair of shoes or boots and a backpack with a few snacks and necessary equipment and start moving into the woods for a day with nature, and voila! — you are hiking.

According to an article highlighting the benefits of hiking, “hiking or trekking allows us to maintain our body in good working condition by walking which is really a good exercise. It improves our physical as well as mental health and the list of benefits from hiking and trekking is infinite. Hiking is essentially walking that is considered to be one of the most perfect forms of exercise for your body. You can get a chance to spend some quality time together with the Mother Nature, so it also provides a mental health antidote. Everyone can find trails to suit their physical strengths. And unlike other activities or sports, it is a pursuit that allows people to determine their own limitations.”

As far as the actual health benefits associated with hiking, the list may go endless consisting of several mental as well as physical health benefits, “such as losing excess pounds, preventing heart disease, decreasing hypertension or high blood pressure, improving and maintaining mental health, slowing the aging process, preventing osteoporosis, improving the quality of the air we breathe, preventing and controlling diabetes, improving arthritis, relieving back pain (which has become an epidemic in the modern contemporary world) along with healthy habits for a healthy life i.e. team building skills, positive attitude, kindness, empathy.”

In addition, hiking is FREE! Except for a few ESSENTIALS (i.e. LARA bars ), all you need is an open trail. It’s a great activity to enjoy with your partner, family or kids and the level of difficulty can be adjusted accordingly.

So get out there! Explore some of your city’s parks and hiking trails! Don’t have any? Create your own! Head into the woods with a friend (don’t forget a compass!) and get exploring. Happy hiking!

Take a look at some of our photos for inspiration:

Buttermilk Falls

North Chagrin Reservation

North Chagrin Reservation

North Chagrin Reservation

Me at Squire's Castle!

Squire's Castle

Close up on Squire's Castle

Look at a lil friend we found!

Our new friend, trying to keep up

So pretty

My Mister!

How often do you take advantage of your local parks?

After working out and eating breakfast yesterday morning, we headed out to Peninsula, Ohio. Peninsula is located at the center of the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. The famous Towpath trail runs through Peninsula, so it’s the perfect spot to jump on the trail for an afternoon of biking and exploring.

Which is exactly what we did

We headed out with two of our lovely friends (hi Josh and Leann!) and rented bikes at the village’s popular bike rental.

Our first stop

His and Her bikes

Trailblazer

View from the trail (we eventually biked over this bridge!)

The Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad also runs through Peninsula and we were lucky enough to get a glimpse of it in motion.

All aboard!

Unfortunately too many of you had similar guesses and no one guessed any outdoor physical activity, so the prize will have to wait for next week’s Fashion Friday contest winner!

Americans, have a FANTASTIC Fourth of July! The Mister and I are headed to a cookout and I’ll be sure to capture as much of the day’s events as I can.

Packing a picnic today? Make sure to follow my healthy picnic tips!

What’s your favorite Fourth of July (or for non-U.S. residents, favorite cookout) treat?

I’m still smiling this morning. Last night the Mister and I went to go see Jack’s Mannequin and The Fray. Something about summer concerts and signing along with your favorite bands just does it for me. No fancy explanations or drawn out posts today. Quite simply, Summer concerts are one of the best ways to spend an evening. (Still smiling over here, by the way…)

This summer, the Mister and I have seen or are planning to see:

• Coldplay
• Fall Out Boy
• Jason Mraz
• The Fray/ Jack’s Mannequin
• The Killers
• Keane
• Ben Folds
• Weezer/ Taking Back Sunday/ Blink 182

This week, I’m thankful for summer concerts. I can’t imagine not having all the amazing memories they bring me each summer.

Image credit: nightcruiser.com

What was the best concert you ever attended? Which one are you looking the most forward to this year?

While the Mister and I LOVE our DVR, sometimes I get overwhelmed just thinking about all the TV shows I have racking up on that little black box! Hours and hours and hours! Yes, I like all the shows, but thinking about all that TV kinda freaks me out. Knowing that my favorite shows are winding down as the weather is warming up puts a HUGE smile on my face.

I thought I’d take a moment to brainstorm a few non-TV-friendly activities that I’m looking forward to this summer. Side note: The Mister is bracing himself with a cringe right now. I should forewarn you all that I am an activities person. Over the Christmas season, I drag the Mister all over town for Santa sightings, gingerbread house contests, Christmas tree displays, etc. Over Halloween we take Haunted Train rides (when I say haunted, I mean suitable for 12-year-olds — the Mister and I were the oldest ones who were ACTUALLY afraid), go apple and pumpkin picking, you get the picture. One of the reasons I look forward to having children is so that I can go on all the fun activity-filled adventures! – yes, I am a huge nerd   Anyway, here’s the list:

The ZOO!

Exploring the metroparks

Spending an evening in Chagrin Falls, romantic dinner on the patio and eating ice cream cones while we watch the falls

Putt-putt golf

Picnicking

Summer movies (OK, that still kind piggy-backs off of TV, but summer movies are awesome, so shhh!)

Going to the beach

Taking long walks at night

Sitting on the porch

Stargazing

Running through sprinklers

Flying a kite

Cookouts

Drive-in movies

Bike rides at Towpath trail

Blossom Time Balloon Festival

Baseball games

Fishing

County fairs

Trying to convince the Mister to go camping

People watching at county fairs

Fireworks

Cooling off at the art museum

Tremont Art Walks

Farmers markets

Long drives with the music up and windows down

Running through the grass in my bare feet

Playing frisbee (even though I drop it constantly!)

Bocce ball in my parents backyard

Going out for ICE CREAM

The Feast

Road trips

Stopping at lemonade stands

Outdoor concerts

My kind of summer! (image credit: sendkatrinatoworlds.com)

Buckle up, Mister — It’s going to a be a heck of a summer!!

What are you looking forward to this summer? And what TV show finale are/were you most excited for?

Since I’m leaving for Chicago tomorrow, please email all your Fashion Friday photos (info@thedailybalance.com) by 10 p.m. tonight (this will give me a bit more time to compile everything)! Need a contest rules refresher? Click HERE.

** Also – remember to enter the Honest Foods giveaway for your chance to win a yummy granola bar!

Farmers markets, with their white tents hovering over bright red tomatoes, ripe fresh fruit and gorgeous looking produce invite locals to buy fresh and local crops that often tout flavors that cannot be found in chain-store grocery stores. So it’s no surprise that more consumers are turning to farmers markets for fresh fruits and vegetables. “In 1994, there were approximately 1,755 farmers markets in the United States. In 2008 their numbers had more than doubled – to over 4,685. It is estimated that more than three million consumers shop and more than 30,000 farmers sell at these markets annually,” according to the Farmers Market Coalition. The United States Department of Agriculture estimates that these markets generate approximately $1 billion in consumer spending each year, and some state studies suggest remarkable levels of direct and indirect economic benefits as a result of farmers markets.

Wondering how you can get in on the action? Local Harvest, America’s #1 organic and local food website, maintains a definitive and reliable “living” public nationwide directory of small farms, farmers markets, and other local food sources. The site’s search engine helps users find products from family farms and other local sources of sustainably grown food, and encourages them to establish direct contact with small farms in their local area. By inputting Cleveland, OH, I am told that I have numerous markets to choose from, some of which I’ve never heard of — how exciting!

One of my favorite parts of my trips to Europe were all the colorful lively farmers markets. My heart skipped every time I passed one, swaying to music provided by the street performers and almost delirious from the sweet smells from the fresh cut flowers, I would always purchase the most scrumptious looking piece of fruit. I’ll tell ya, those were some of my favorite foodie experiences in Europe. Although one of the main draws to farmers markets (for me anyway) is the atmosphere, there are several other benefits to note.

Farmers markets:

• Improve diet and nutrition by providing access to fresh food.
• Educate the consumer as to the production and origin of their food.
• Serve as a source of information and inspiration on how to cook and prepare fresh ingredients.
• Reduce food miles, thus vehicle pollution, noise, and fossil fuel use.
• Reduce packaging.
• Encourage more environmental production practices, such as organic or pesticide-free.
• Help bring life into towns and cities, aiding regeneration.
• Encourage social interaction particularly between rural and urban communities.
• Stimulate local economic development by increasing employment, encouraging consumers to support local business, and thus keeping the money within the local community.
• Attract business to retailers in the vicinity.

I know many of you have your own gardens, but for those who don’t (like me, Ms. Red Thumb- get it, opposite of green? heh heh!) The Farmers market is a fantastic alternative.

One of my goals this summer is to try and purchase 80% of my produce from farmers markets.I’m excited to visit some of the markets I haven’t been to yet and I think it’s something fun and different that the Mister can do together. I’ll also feel good supporting local farmers and I’m sure I’ll find some inspiration to create some new and flavorful dishes in the kitchen. I can’t wait!

Do you frequent farmers markets? What’s the most interesting thing you’ve purchased at a Farmer’s Market? What produce are looking forward to this season?

Remember – email me (info@thedailybalance.com) your Fashion Friday photos by midnight TONIGHT to be entered in tomorrow’s contest. For contest rules, click here.

Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.
– Melody Beattie

To live a life of gratitude is to open our eyes to the countless ways in which we are supported by the world around us. Such a life provides less space for our suffering because our attention is more balanced. We are more often occupied with noticing what we are given, thanking those who have helped us, and repaying the world in some concrete way for what we are receiving.
– Gregg Krech

Really think about all of those quotations for a moment. When was the last time you sat down and reflected on all the good in your life? So often we focus on our day-to-day stresses… getting through the work day, meeting deadlines, getting home to get dinner on the table, worrying about bills approaching, etc.

The fact of the matter is that no matter how terrible things might get, there is SOMEHTING to be thankful for. Let’s dedicate one day and focus on, what I like to call, a ‘feel-good’ moment. What made you smile this week? Was it the laughter of your child, fitting into your skinny jeans, sharing a romantic moment with your significant other, getting appreciation at work or letting the sun shine down on your face? Maybe you took time to indulge in a dessert or take a long walk through the park? Or maybe it was as easy as getting ahead of a few bills and credit card payments. What matters is that we recognize these moments and celebrate their significance in our lives.

Some links to get your wheels turning:

Join one woman on her journey to gratitude

An Attitude of Gratitude Can Help You Live Longer and Happier

So take a moment. Go to your special place, grab a cup of coffee or tea, take a deep breath and reflect back on your week.

This week I was thankful for SUNSHINE

Here in Cleveland, Ohio, it’s been a bit gloomy on the weather front. Not only has it been coooollld, but it’s been overcast and cloudy. For weeks, I had felt as if I never saw the sun. I would wake up and head to the gym in the dark. By the time I got to work it was just getting lighter outside. Then, when I got home from work, it was already dark again! Thanks to Daylight Savings Time and increased temperatures, my mood has automatically become more upbeat!

Earlier this week I left the house WITHOUT A COAT. So exciting!! Yes, I was a bit chilly, but the sheer fact that I no longer needed to bundle up put a smile on my face. Just yesterday I woke up to birds chirping outside my window. Call it cliché, but I truly felt like spring was just around the corner!

Just seeing the sunshine brought to mind all of the fun activities I’m looking forward to as the weather heats up. Picnics, walks in the park, walking to my favorite coffee shop, opening the windows, wearing a skirt WITHOUT tights or leggings, flip flops, popsicle stands, farmer’s markets, dancing in the rain, town festivals, running through sprinklers, watching kids playing hopscotch and creating masterpiece sidewalk chalk creations, sipping iced tea on the porch, the smell of freshly cut grass, weekend hikes in the woods, putt-putt golfing, Sunday drives for ice cream and outdoor boutiques are just a few of the things I’m looking forward to.

Feeling as if all of this is actually in-reach is so exciting! I’m so thankful that the Mother Nature has provided a taste of what’s to come. I have a lot to look forward to.

It’s no surprise that the weather had this effect on my mood. Most people know how sunshine affects our mental health and wellbeing.

What were you thankful for this week? What are you looking forward to this spring/summer?